Wexford FC v Athlone

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Enjoyable carnage in Ferrycarrig tonight as Wexford and Athlone played out a breathless 4-4 draw. Wexford will be disappointed that, having led by two goals three times in the game, they couldn’t secure the three points but, in retrospect, Jimmy Corcoran in the Wexford goal pulled off the better saves than the Athlone keeper at the other end. Wexford started with Jimmy, Paul, Lorcan, Conor, Karl M, Karl F, Kyle, Foxy, Jack D, and new signings Cian Kelly and Jack Moylan. Jack Moylan made an immediate impression for Wexford on five minutes when he ghosted past three Athlone defenders but his body-shape wasn’t right for the shot and he miscued wide. Early indications that Athlone could threaten the Wexford defence came on 11 and 13 minutes when two relatively easy free headers were knocked tamely enough over the Wexford bar. On 21 minutes, new signing Cian Kelly limped off with an injury and was replaced by Wexford’s James Carroll. First goal seemed to be crucial and it came to Wexford on the half-hour when Moylan again did well to hit a shot off the Athlone post and Kyle Robinson lurked to good effect to put Wexford ahead. Wexford looked the more threatening side from then till half time as they gained confidence from the lead. 1-0 to Wexford at half-time.

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Wexford regained control of the game at the start of the second half and went further in front on two minutes when Moylan was brought down in the Athlone box and Jack Doherty converted the spotter with aplomb. Athlone then brought a really good save from Corcoran in the Wexford goal as he saved with his feet and the Athlone keeper blocked a good Wexford shot from close in. Athlone then threw the kitchen sink at Wexford with Derek Daly leading the charge down Athlone’s left. Wexford never looked confident trying to protect their lead and Shane Barnes of Athlone notched a goal back for the Midlanders from close in on about the quarter hour mark. However, Kyle Robinson then restored the two-goal Wexford cushion when he again scored from a rebound to make it 3-1. Athlone then brought it to 3-2 through Dylan Hand before, with 12 minutes to go, Kyle Robinson got his hat-trick when he converted a low Conor Crowley cross to make it 4-2. With ten to go, Shane Barnes made it 4-3 with a floated header and Corcoran prevented a fourth goal for Athlone with a decent near-post save high up. But the fourth goal came for Athlone close to the 90 minute mark through Adam Wixted as Wexford again couldn’t lock out the game. Subs for Wexford during the second period included Dan Dobbin, Kevin McEvoy and Harry Groome. For a side cast adrift at the bottom, Wexford have a decent amount of fire-power going forward with Foxy, Doherty, Robinson and now Jack Moylan but will have to try and stem the goals at the back particularly from crosses and set-pieces where they look very vulnerable. 4-4 at full-time.